Earplugs protect your ears from loud noises. They are important when working with loud machinery, riding a motorcycle or shooting a gun. Earplugs come in either single-use (usually foam earplugs) or multiple-use varieties (usually silicone earplugs). But how to clean them?
Reusable earplugs are the best for frequent users. The downside is that they get dirty and need frequent cleaning. Clean earplugs work better at keeping out loud sounds. They are also unlikely to cause an ear infection.
Here is a step by step guide for cleaning reusable earplugs.
Step By Step Guide
1. Soak in warm water
In a clean bowl, add some warm water. Add some dish soap or, for extra cleaning power, hydrogen peroxide to the water.
Place the earplugs in the solution and let them sit for several minutes. This will loosen stubborn wax or stains.
2. Scrub the dirt out
Using a toothbrush, soft hand brush or just your fingers gently get the sticky dirt out. This step should be easy and quick if you had soaked them for a while.
Once you are confident all the dirt is out rinse them off with clean water.
3. Disinfecting
Earplugs can harbour bacteria that can cause an ear infection. After cleaning them, spray or wipe the earplug with an alcohol solution to kill bacteria and germs.
4. Dry and store
Set the earplugs on a clean surface and let them air dry.
Avoid any other form of drying like rubbing them dry or using a hair drier. Air-drying is the best way to prevent mildew growth on your plugs.
Ensure they are completely dry before storing them in a clean case.
Final words
To ensure your earplugs last you longer and stay cleaner:
- Clean your ears before use. This will prevent wax build on the earplugs, which can reduce their performance.
- Keep your earplugs in a case at all times when you are not using them to prevent debris and dust from accumulating on them.
- Do not share your earplugs.